Bicolandia

Bicolandia is made up the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon,
Catanduanes and Masbate. You can find it at the southern tip of the island of Luzon. Bicol is one of the Philippines
best-known tourist destinations. Some of its more famous treasures are the gentle butanding whale sharks
ofDonsol, the fierce and fiery Mayon Volcano and Bulusan Volcano, and the popular Cam Sur Watersports Complex
(CWC). Its best to get into shape before visiting. You never know what adventures are in store.
Wind-and-kitesurfers will enjoy Bagasbas Beach in Daet. Beach lovers might enjoy visiting the surrounding islets, not
missing out on the Calaguas Islands of Camarines Norte.
While the Survivor and Amazing Race television series have put places like Caramoan and Albay on the world adventure
map, the less known islands of Calintaan (in Sorsogon), Sombrero (in Masbate), San Miguel (also in Masbate), and
Misibis (in Albay) are just as enchanting. And the people make it even better.
Bicol locals are an interesting mix of laid back and outspoken. They enjoy holding colorful water parades, are proud of
their centuries-old stone churches, and will fire up your palate with their delicious spicy specialties.
This is also a land of hemp, locally known as abaca. Coal, limestone and sulfur also abound. As Bicol is by the water,
fishing is a big source of income. Watersports isnt recommended during the rainy season (November to January), but
summer (February to June) is a great time to sure to hit the beach.
Pasacao, Camarines Sur
Pasacao is a first class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010census, it has a
population of 45,946 people.
Pasacao was the slumbering "visita" and served as the only existing port of the Bicol Region. The Spaniards who set
foot in Bicol late in 16th century noted the importance of the visita in their exploration. Pasacao became a strategic
defense port against the raids by Moro pirates from 1585 to 19th century. Due to frequent raids the town had an
estimated population of only 200 in 1823.
Vessels carrying goods and passengers made their starts or stop over here. Notwithstanding the rough road
to Pamplona, this town has been contributing to, a large degree, in the economic development of the province of the
Camarines Sur in particular.
Pasacao's strategic location along the rugged coast of the vast expanse of the Ragay Gulf in the east made it very
important to the economic and social life of the people of the region. It is for the reason that a parish was established
dedicated to the Saint Rose of Lima as the patroness. Annually in the honor of the town patroness, a fiesta is
celebrated on August 30.
It is said that the geography of Pasacao makes its history full of hardships, troubles and affliction that influenced the
customs, traditions and way of life of the inhabitants. The continued Moro piracy likes that one in 4 October 1779 at
Caranan. The report of Bishop Manuel dela Concepcion described these raids in his letter to the King on June 29, 1758
as "undoubtedly greater at any other time." (Raids in 1757). The raids according to Domingo Abella-Bikol Annals, "ten
towns and two missions were completely destroyed; ten churches were looted and burned; about 8,000 indios were
captured or killed; one priest was killed, two captured, and the capital Caceres, was under alert one night. Alcalde
Jacinto Rodriguez Morales provided material for a baluarte (earthwork or fortified rampant) as defense of Pasacao
against these raids. He also issued rations to bantayes (watchmen, sentinels).
The port of Pasacao is rich in stories on how it got its present name. Since the part is a bustling area, dockguards were
stationed to maintain peace and order. These guards would usually shout "Pasa ikaw, Pasa ikaw" as instructions to
passengers. This Spanish-Tagalog mixed up "pasa-ikaw" was mistaken by the passengers as the name of the place Pasacao.
Another story went around that fisherman who was asked by a Spanish sentry what were the contents of his basket.
The fisherman answered "pasa-pasa", the name of the fish, and simultaneously offered some by saying "ikaw" meaning
to say if he wanted some. The sentry on the other hand interpreted the words "Pasa-pasa ikaw" as the name of the
place. For long, the place was known among the soldiers as Pasa-pasa ikaw until it shortened to a more convenient
Pasacao.
The town's name was also said to have been derived from "Pasok kayo". This came from a native as an answer to a
Spanish soldier's query of the name of the place. Misunderstanding clouded the native's remark when he meant to say
that the soldier come up or come in.
In a similar story as the first story, Pasacao came from "Pasa ikaw". Some Spanish settlers while walking along the
shore met a native. The settlers asked the native to pass on by saying "Pasa". The native, on the other hand, wanted
the Spaniards to go first by saying "ikaw". Through a convenient usage, it became Pasacao.
Still another story gives credence to the word "Pasangkay" as the origin of the town's name. The travelers and traders
often used it en route to Manila to ask owners of the sailboats along the shore of the village to let them ride.
Pasangkay means the request of the people to get into the boat to travel.
From the above-mentioned short atories, the name of the town Pasacao must have been derived from them.
The Fil-American or Spanish law recognizing the legal existence of Pasacao believes. Church records however say that
the founding of the church was 1885.
Very few people of Pasacao except the old during the governorship of Juan de Silva (16091626) two galleons (ManilaAcapulco trade) were constructed in the astellero at the Lupaon (or Dalupaon nowadays) Pasacao. They were Nuestra
Seora de Guadalupe and the Angel dele Guardia. According to our BiKol historian Jose Calleja Reyes, the galleon
"Guadalupe" figured both in the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco and in the defense of the Philippines
against Dutch incursion in the naval battle of Playa Honda.
Other important historical events that unfolded the Pasacao still left them landmark. The Pasacao Pier was the
dockyard of the Japanese ships when it was bombed. Until now some of the Japanese ships can be seen under clear
waters. The first place where the AMerican landed is the Magtabid Beach in Pasacao. American air transportation first
landed in Tinalmud with their Grasshoppers in 1945. The Pasacao seashore was the place where the Six Daughters of
Charity (nuns) landed from Spain to establish the first normal school for girls which is now the Colegio de Sta. Isabel
in Naga City. These and many other events took place in this town.
During the early American school administrators used this port as their landing. When going to manila they had to sail
from here. With no roads from Naga City they used to be carried in the hammock by hired men traversing the
mountain trails. In spite of the importance of Pasacao-Pamplona road the authorities have been slow improving it. It
took three days on foot from Pasacao to Naga back and forth during the late 19th century.

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Bicolandia is made up the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon,

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